GEOMETRY 275 



Family — Ephyrid.e 

 The Maiden's Blush {Zoiiosoma j^Knctaria) 



The family Ejihyrida- contains only six British species, chiefly 

 remarkable for the fact that their pupae generally resemble those of 

 butterflies. 



We choose for our example the pretty little Maiden's Blush, so 

 called on account of the soft reddish patch on the middle of each 

 fore wing. It is represented in fig. 7 of Plate XII. It is mode- 

 rately common, occurring more or less in all parts of England, as 

 well as certain localities in the sister countries. It is a double- 

 brooded moth, and may be caught in May and August. 



The caterpillar feeds on oak (Qaercus Bnhur), from which it may 

 be obtained by beating both in June and September. It is either green 

 or tawny yellow, marked witli yellow oblicjue lines on tlie sides. 



Family — Acidaliid.i-, 



The moths of this family, over thirty in number, are mostly of 

 small size, and have slender bodies. As a rule the wings are not 

 in the least angulated or scalloped, but in a few species the hind 

 pair are slightly angled on the hind margin ; and both fore and hind 

 wings are similarly marked. The antennae are simple in the females, 

 and generally only slightly ciliated in the inales. 



The caterpillars are long and slender, without projections, and 

 feed principally on low plants. The pupae are to be found in loose 

 cocoons among the leaves of the food plants or under the soil. 



We shall briefly notice three members of this rather extensive 

 family. 



TJie Lace Border {Acidalia ornata) 



The wings of this moth are silvery white, marked along the 

 hind margin with a beautiful lace-like border. 

 This border consists of delicate black and 

 dark grey lines, and includes, in the fore 

 wing, two light brown blotches, one near the 

 middle and the other in the anal angle. It is 

 abundant in England, particularly in chalky 

 districts, but does net seem to extend into ^''^^- ^^^- '^^'^ -^•'^'^'^ 

 Scotland. It may be seen on the wing from 

 June to August. 



The caterpillar feeds on thyme {Thijmus ScrjujUinn) and 

 marjoram {Origanum vulgare), 



t2 



